Norway’s national football stadium has seen a world first, but not in terms of sport. The Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo has been equipped with something the national team might envy: a game-changing renewable energy facility. Installed in May 2024, it is currently the planet’s largest vertical panel rooftop solar energy system.
Why vertical?
The choice of vertical panels, say installer Over Easy Systems, gives yields that are 20-30% higher than normal panels, according to data from the firm’s pilot projects. They are also quick to install, with the national stadium’s classic bitumen roof decked out with the infrastructure in just a few days, unlike other systems that require months to put in place.
Bjørn Simonsen, a leader in the renewable energy sector and early-stage investor in Over Easy, has called the company’s cutting edge designs, “Truly one of the most promising innovations within roof-top solar power.”
Why are they so impressive? Weighing just 11kg per square metre, with no need for “heavy ballast or intrusive fasteners” the system is suitable for a range of different sites, such as a commercial facility and a school, where Over Easy panels were installed last year.
The reduced size of the panels compared to conventional equipment means they do not take up the same vast expanses of space. What’s more, the upright model allows users to access and inspect their roof’s surface for maintenance purposes.
Another part of the genius of making the switch to vertical rather than horizontal panels is the ability to make the most of bi-facial or two-sided design, effectively doubling each panel’s production cycle, which already boasts a unique two peak per day profile, giving more hours of productive use.
Location, orientation and albedo
And their location, on a roof in nordic Norway, will also take advantage of snow albedo. Albedo is the name for the ratio of light reflected by a surface relative to the light falling on it. With a north-south orientation tweaked slightly 20 degrees to the south-east, the 1,242 units will be in the prime position to benefit from enhanced performance during the winter months when sunlight is limited in the northern European kingdom.
Following the two installations last year, the latest gear takes up 2,500 square metres (26,900 square feet) and its units will generate 219,000 kWh of green energy every year. Now that’s something to cheer about.
